Major Bible Themes

Paul E. Snuffer

Description

Major Bible Themes is an outline course in Christian biblical doctrine and has been prepared as a teaching resource for pastors, teachers, and parents to instruct students in the foundational truths of the Christian faith and life.

It is important for our young people to know what they believe and why they believe it, as they face the challenges of a godless and secular world. Unless we provide them with a solid biblical foundation, they are apt to accept destructive philosophies and succumb to social pressures. Major Bible Themes has been developed to help young people and new believers be firmly grounded in the truth of the major doctrines of the Bible. This book is a great teaching tool for Christian high schools, Bible colleges, adult/teen home Bible studies, home school curriculum, pastor’s Bible instruction class (pastor’s confirmation class), Sunday school class, as well as one-on-one discipleship. Students who have been taught this material still use this book as a reference to answer questions many years later.

Sujets

• Religion
• Christianisme
• Discipleship
• Christian Ministry
• Philosophie et théologie
• Christian
• Doctrine
• Bible

Informations

• Publié par: WestBow Press
• Date de parution: 07 octobre 2022
• Nombre de lectures: 3
• EAN13: 9781664263109
• Langue: English

Extrait

MAJOR BIBLE THEMES


An Outline Course in Biblical Teaching and Christian Living



PAUL E. SNUFFER







Copyright © 2022 Paul E. Snuffer.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.



WestBow Press
A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan
1663 Liberty Drive
Bloomington, IN 47403
www.westbowpress.com
844-714-3454

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Illustrations by Alena Glad

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org

ISBN: 978-1-6642-6311-6 (sc)
ISBN: 978-1-6642-6310-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022906599



WestBow Press rev. date: 9/30/2022














I wish to acknowledge Rev. John Miles, who has provided much of the outline for this book. John Miles had a major impact on my spiritual life and Biblical training, and I wish to dedicate this book to his memory.
L. John Miles
1916-2009



CONTENTS
Introduction
Suggested Uses Of This Book

Chapter 1 Essentials for a Thematic Approach to a Study of the Bible
Chapter 2 Bibliology (What the Bible Teaches About Itself)
Chapter 3 Theology (What the Bible Teaches About the Triune God)
Chapter 4 Christology (What the Bible Teaches About the Person of Jesus Christ)
Chapter 5 Soteriology (What the Bible Teaches About the Work of Christ in Providing Salvation)
Chapter 6 Pneumatology (What the Bible Teaches About the Holy Spirit)
Chapter 7 Hamartiology (What the Bible Teaches About Sin)
Chapter 8 Anthropology (What the Bible Teaches About Humankind)
Chapter 9 Angelology (What the Bible Teaches About Angels)
Chapter 10 Ecclesiology (What the Bible Teaches About the Church)
Chapter 11 Eschatology – Part 1 (Bible Prophecy)
Chapter 12 Eschatology – Part 2 (Prophecy Yet to be Fulfilled)

Doctrinal Positions Reflected In This Book



INTRODUCTION
This is an outline course in Christian doctrine. It is not intended to be an exhaustive study of Christian teaching or theology but rather has been prepared as a teaching resource for pastors, teachers, or parents to instruct students in the foundational truths of the Christian faith and life.
Acquiring a panoramic understanding of the Bible prepares students to draw a more accurate understanding when reading or studying individual passages. All biblical truth should be understood from the context of God’s full revelation. This broader understanding of the Word of God also provides a foundation for identifying heretical teaching.
The appalling fact is that many of our young people are abandoning their Christian faith when they enter the university environment and are faced with new social and intellectual challenges. Unless our youth are well grounded in biblical truth, they may be easily swayed by false teaching. It is not enough to simply know the Sunday School Bible stories, encounter Christian camp experiences, or listen to church youth group devotionals. These activities are not likely to sustain one’s faith when separated from family and placed in an academic environment that is increasingly intimidating and often hostile towards genuine Christianity. We can no longer risk “building our house on the sand” (Matthew 7:25–27).
It is important for our young people to know what they believe and why they believe it, as they face the challenges of a godless and secular world. Unless we provide them with a solid biblical foundation, they are apt to accept destructive philosophies and succumb to social pressures.
I am retired now, but I have taught this curriculum in each of the five churches I have served during my pastoral career. Of course, there is no guarantee, but as I look back over my ministry, most of the young people who went through this course are still serving the Lord and walking with Him today.
God bless and guide you as you undertake this teaching commitment.



SUGGESTED USES OF THIS BOOK
This Bible doctrine curriculum will be a benefit to both students and teachers in the following settings:
Note: It is recommended that each student have his or her own personal copy of this book.
1. Pastor’s Bible Instruction Class (Pastor’s Confirmation Class) – This teaching tool is ideal for youth ages fourteen and older. Preferably, the class calls for a commitment of 1–1½ hours weekly for 2–4 school semesters. This teaching approach calls for a significant teacher/student commitment and can be followed by a formal graduation service before the entire church family.
2. Teen/Adult Home Bible Studies – This book is an effective guide for a small group Bible study.
3. Home School Curriculum – This Bible doctrine course is a valuable asset for any home school or home school cooperative.
4. Christian High School or Bible College Curriculum – This material offers a solid foundation for upper high school students or entry level Bible college students.
5. Sunday School Class – This book gives a clear understanding of Bible doctrine and helps individuals know what the Bible teaches.



CHAPTER 1
Essentials for a Thematic Approach to a Study of the Bible
I. The Definition of Theology
Theology: This word theology is used to describe a systematic study of the Bible. The word has two uses: the narrow and broad meanings.
A. The narrow meaning
The doctrine of God (who God is and what God has done, is doing, and will do). The word theology comes from two Greek words: Theos , which means “God” and logos , which means “a word.” The narrow meaning therefore is “a word about God or a study of God.”
B. The broad meaning
The broad meaning of the word theology is a study of the entire scope of Christian teaching drawn from the Bible and arranged in a systematic form. We might call it the “skeleton” of the Bible’s teaching. This broader position of theology is not always seen on the surface, nor do we always display it out front, but it gives shape and design to our Christian faith and practice.
II. The Benefits of a Systematic Study of the Bible
A. Efficiency is developed where material is systematically arranged.
It is impossible for scientists, historians, or researchers to make progress unless they can catalog and organize their findings and materials as they proceed in their studies. The human mind seeks a system.
B. Theology, when properly understood, combats false conclusions.
When all scripture passages on a given subject are carefully considered and weighed in the light of their local context, and the context of the message of the entire Bible, accurate conclusions can be drawn. One of the huge failures of false religions and cults is that they do not take into consideration the entirety of scripture. They take an isolated verse here and there, lift it out of context, and are led to false conclusions.
C. A thorough knowledge of theology will help the child of God serve the Lord more effectively with his or her efforts.
Children of God will understand which doctrines are major and important. If people understand God’s purpose and aim their lives and ministry efforts in keeping with that purpose, they will make the best use of their time and labors. If they understand God’s methods for serving and living, they will focus their time and energy on that which is important and in keeping with the instruction of God’s Word.
Note: A builder who seeks to build without a blueprint or plan will produce a monstrosity without design, beauty, or usefulness. He or she must have a master plan to follow. Likewise, we must have an overview of who God is, who we are, and what God’s plan is before we can begin building our lives with His beauty and design.
III. Five Requirements for a Serious Study of the Bible
A. The presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit
As we shall learn, the Holy Spirit lives in every true believer. The true believer is a person who is trusting in the shed blood of Christ for the forgiveness of sin and, therefore, is a child of God. One of the ministries of the Holy Spirit to the believer, is that He is our teacher and helps us understand the truth of the Bible. He dwells only in the believer; therefore, the student of the Bible must be a true believer and must be in complete submission to the Holy Spirit as his or her teacher. Note the following scripture:
John 16:13–14
13 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you.
1 Corinthians 2:6–13
6 Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers